[bimmerfan1972]

Hey, so I'm asking this question because I have done quite a bit of searching online and have not found the solution. I have had my front end on jack stands many times, but have not needed to lift the back yet. I will be doing some exhaust work and need to lift the back. I know where the rear central jack point is, but on the x-drive it is blocked by an extra support bar that the rwd models do not have. I am using a hydraulic floor jack. Where do you place the jack to get the rear up?

[matteblue3er]

There will be varying opinions on this...

Personally, I use the diff. Use a block of wood between the jack and diff. Make sure you do not have the block of wood or jack on the rear cover!

Some recommend jacking from the support bar going across the subframe. I've done this with no issues before. But use the diff method more often.

Some argue that you damage diff bushings when jacking via the diff. I mean if you leave the car in the air, yes it will tear them over time. But if it's just to get the car on stands, its a non issue.

My 2 cents...

[bimmerfan1972]

Gave it a shot this weekend and it worked fine. I used a wood block between the jack and the rear diff to lift enough to get on jack stands. Seemed a little less stable than using the front jack point, but I was super careful and it worked out.

[relative4]

The diff is the lift point designated by the manufacturer. However, note which part of the diff is designated. Not the ridge, but the area just forward of it.

[bimmerfan1972]

Originally Posted by relative4

The diff is the lift point designated by the manufacturer. However, note which part of the diff is designated. Not the ridge, but the area just forward of it.

Interesting. I was wondering about that, and moved the jack around quite a bit until I found what I thought would be a good spot. Do you have a picture of where the jack should be?